Non-lethal riot deterrent weapon

ABSTRACT

Golf ball type projectiles are discharged by a modified shotgun to be used as a non-lethal riot deterrent weapon.

ie Stakes atent 11 1 1 1 3,765,114 Biake" 14 1 Oct. 16, 1973 [54] NON-LETHAL RVIOT DETERRENT WEAPON 38,604 5/1863 Rice.....' 42/39.5

1,596,057 8/1926 Mallory 89/7 [76] lnvemm- 3702 1,374,854 4/1921- Johnson ..42/11= Tulsa, Okla- 74152 2,523,805 9/1950 Anthony... 124/16 2,790,353 4/1957 Bird 42 39.5 [22] 1971 3,262,440 7/1966 Kuhn 124/15 [21] Appl.No 168,097 3,385,279 5/1968 Pitcher 124 15 3,474,560 10/1969 Ramsay 42/17 Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. Nov 799,647, Feb, 17, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1969, abandoned, v 875,624 8 1961 Great Britain 102/42 R 52 us. (:1. 42/1 F, 42/17, 42/395 Primary Examinersamuelw- E9819 [51 Int. Cl. F411; 7/00 Arr0myJames Head 91 [58] Field of Search 89/7, 33 MC; 42/57,

42/39.5, 1 F, 17; 124/15, 16 ABSTRACT Golf ball type projectiles are discharged by a modified [56] References Cited shotgun to be used as a non-lethal riot deterrent UNITED STATES PATENTS p 2,699,008 l/l955 Tyler 42/57 2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures .PAIENTED URI 1 6 I975 Y sum 10F 4 INVENTOR.

WILLlAM R. BLAKE ATTORNEYS PAIENIEMBHBW 3.765.114

SHEET 20F 4 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. BLAKE AT TOR/VE Y5 PATENTEI] UBT I 6 I975 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM R. BLAKE FIG. 7

NON-LETHAL RIOT DETERRENT WEAPON RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-impart of copending application Ser. No. 799,647, filed Feb. 17, 1969,. now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the control of riots and looting, protection of harassed public officials or groups, and control of civil disorders, law enforcement agencies have found that conventional lethal weapons (rifles, shotguns, pistols) are excessively forceful, many times beyond the scope of the disorder involved, resulting in death of either the malefactor or of an innocent bystander.

Additionally, no medium weapon or device has been provided for low-key confrontations or disorders. In many instances many weapons carried by the authorities are not an effective deterrent because the offenders are convinced that the authorities will not retaliate with gun fire, even though the objects being thrown'by the rioters, or those creating the disorder, can maim or kill,

or cause serious damage.

Measures other than guns have been used and proposed to fill this need as a means to deter, disperse or immobilize individual and mass rioters. Such things as high-pressure water jets, clubs, chemical gases and short-range irritant sprays have been proposed. In addition, high voltage prods, slippery substances to render footing uncertain, nets, tranquilizing darts and wooden rods fired from shotguns have been proposed. However, many of these have not assumed the role of an effective deterrent.

It is believed that an adequate deterrent weapon requires apparatus whereby those in authority can accurately and selectively deliver a substantial, but nonpenetrating, impact at a relatively short distance.

SUMMARY It is the object of this invention to provide a riot or other related disorder deterrent weapon which will include notonly the proper physical structure for nonlethal usage but will also produce an effective psychological deterrent.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus, capable of being fired from the shoulder, utilizing standard propellant means and capable of propelling a non-penetrating golf ball type projectile or other projectile substantially spherical in shape and of sufficient mass and velocity to deliver a substantial impact at rel-- atively short distances suitable for riot or other disorder control.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a weapon replacing lethal fire arms for those in authority to subdue, deter or put to flight persons or animals with a low probability of permanent injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the golf ball type projectile magazine.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the detent and release handle taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternate slide assembly design.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of an alternate slide assembly embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not for limitation.

This invention generally comprises a shoulder supported shotgun or rifle assembly 10 which may be of a bolt or automatic action, as is well known in the art. To this-is attached a projectile slide assembly 12 which accommodates the projectile launching tube 14 and a projectile magazine 16. The projectile most suitable and preferred for this invention is a golf ball. However, it is to be understood that other spherical objects of like nature and characteristics relative to size and density may also be suitable for use in the purposes stated herein. A golf ball under United States Golf Association standards is one that is not less than 1.680 inches outside diameter and weighs not more than 1.62 ounces avoirdupois. The apparatus of this invention is sized to accommodate golf balls of maximum outside diameter of 1.691 inches and a minimum outside diameter of 1.679 inches to accommodate most commercially available golf balls. However, it is to be understood that the apparatus of this invention may also be sized to accommodate smaller diameter golf balls as used under standards of foreign countries.

As hereinafter described, slide assembly 12 is adapted to transfer, one at a time, projectiles 18 from the magazine portion 16 to a firing position precisely in line with the launching tube 14. The launching tube assembly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is threadably connected to the slide assembly 12 at threads 20. The magazine tube 16 is slidably retained to the slide assembly 12 and relative to a pin 22 which prevents angular movement of the tube. At the outer or substantially adjacent the outer end of the launching tube 14 and magazine tube 16 is a dual ring clamp 24, the upper end of which includes forward sight blade 26. The clamp retains the free ends of the tubes in fixed relationship. Preferably, the launching tube bore 28 is in axial alignment with the shotgun bore 30.

The slide assembly 12 includes slide 32 which is reciprocable within slide bore 34 from and to the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A detent lever generally designated by the numeral 36, hereinafter described, retains and locks the slide 32 in the firing position as shown in FIG. 2 and is attached to the slide and movable, upon release, to the projectile re-load position shown in FIG. 3. The slide includes a projectile cavity 38 and a gas propellant inlet bore 40. Bores 28, 38, 40 and 30 are all in axial alignment when in the firing position of FIG. 2. Cavity 38 is adapted to receive and retain therein a single projectile 18, yet is so designed to hold the projectile to substantially cover the gas propellant inlet chamber 411 allowing maximum buildup of pressure against the projectile. Although a typical shotgun shell 31 containing powder and a plurality of wadding material is preferred for use in this embodiment, itis understood that other high pressure gas propellants or cartridges (CO may be utilized. A rear sight 35 is formed as a part of slide 32 to be used in conjunction with forward sight 26.

An important aspect of this invention is the various manners by which the golf ball projectiles 18 are retained in the chamber 38. It is to be understood that the projectile is to be retained preferably to the extent that it will not drop out of the launching tube 14 in the event the gun is directed or held downwardly. Yet, the retention means must not constrain the projectile as it is powered into the launching tube. One manner of accomplishing this is by the placement of a knurled surface 42, as shown in FIG. 2. As such, when the projectile is forced into the cavity 38 (either from the force applied in the projectile magazine 16 or in the event the projectile is caused to' be moved into the cavity by a cam action as it travels from the position of FIGURE to the position of FIG. 2) the knurled surfaces tend to slightly bite into the surface of the proposed projectile and hence retain same in the firing position. Another method is described in FIGS. 8 and 9. Another embodiment includes the provision within the interior bore 28 of a raised surface 44 which slightly reduces the diameter of the bore and retains the ball in its position.

Slide member 32 further'includes a skirt portion 46 which, when in the position of FIG. 2, prevents the projectiles from escaping from magazine 16. A surface 48 adjacent the magazine entrance bore acts as a cam surface for driving the projectile into the cavity 38. The slide mechanism body further includes vertical slot 50 within which the detent device 36 slidably operates. An enlarged countersunk portion 52 is provided for lock ing the slide '32 in the firing position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the magazine 16 is a cylindrical member adapted to retain therein a plurality of golf ball projectiles 18. In the preferred embodiment, this is a thin wall tube having an opening 60, shown best in FIG. 1, to load the magazine against a follower 62 which is biased in a direction toward the slide by a constant force coil spring 64, one end of which is tied to the magazine by a fastener 66 while the coil freely rides within a slot 68 provided in the forward end of the follower 62. A keeper 70 extends longitudinally along the magazine and slidable thereto to cover the opening 60 to prevent the projectiles from falling out. The keeper includes guide knobs 72 and 74 which slide within the respective slots 76 and 78. The guide knobs act as finger grips to move the keeper from one position to the other. Follower 62 includes a hand knob 80 which is adapted to be guided by slot 82 by the bias of spring 64. The knob is adapted to rotate the follower 62 at the forwardrnost position into a locking slot 84 which will retain the follower during the loading operations. The follower is relieved on the outside diameter to provide clearance for the keeper and for the spring 64.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a preferred form of detent mechanism is shown. The purpose of the detent is to position the slide 32 precisely, when armed and ready to fire, so that the cavity is concentric with the launching tube. The detent basically comprises a stud portion 90 within which provision is made to accept a coil spring 92. The stud is adapted to be attached to the slide 32 as by threads 94 through the vertical slot 50 of slide body 13. A sleeve 96 is slidable about stud member 90 against spring tension 92 by reason of a pin 98 which extends transversely across the spring through a groove 100 within the stud. Terminating the end of member 96 is a truncated cone portion 102 which is adapted to be retained within mating counter bore 52 of slide body 13. Spring tension adjustment is accomplished by screw 104. A flange portion 106 is provided as a means for finger grasping the detent member to release same from the counter bore into a position for movement of slide 32.

An alternate embodiment of this invention is described in FIG. 7 and is basically of the same construction of the relatively round slide assembly 12 except of a rectangular construction. A slide body 113 includes a rectangular slide bore 134 and a shotgun barrel attachment portion 115. The forward end of the slide includes a threaded portion 114 for attachment of the launching tube and an interior bore 116 for attachment of the magazine as heretofore described. The slide member 132 includes a projectile receiving cavity 138. The slide is basically made up of two planar surfaces 131 and 133 which support the projectile receiving cavity 138. A threaded bore 194 is provided to receive the detent member 36 through operating slot 150 and counterbore portion 152. A sight member 135 is provided on the rear planar portion 135 for use with the forward sight 26 as shown in FIG. 1. Surface 144 reduces the bore diameter forward of the projectile cavity 38. to retain the projectile in the cavity.

OPERATION In the operation of the weapon one or a plurality of projectiles may be stored within the magazine 16 by insertion through opening 60. In some instances the magazine may be unnecessary and the projectiles loaded one at a time. The keeper is moved by knob 72 to a forward position providing an opening 60 which is fully opened. If not already in position the detent mechanism 36 is released by pulling sleeve 96 outwardly and thence downwardly causing the slide 32 to reach a position substantially shown in FIG. 3. Upon release of follower 62 by rotation wherein guide knob is in alignment with guide slot 82, the projectiles are forced into the cavity 38 and retained as heretofore described. The detent is again grapsed and raised upwardly wherein the cone portion 102 will then seat into a matching counterbore 52 and lock the slide in a position substantially as shown in FIG. 2.

The shotgun portion 10 has either been heretofore loaded with a shell 31 or isnow armed, either in an automatic manner or by a bolt action as shown. Upon firing, a high pressure gas force caused by the burning powder of the cartridge will travel into the inlet bore 40 against the projectile 18 forcing it forward through the launching barrel. To reload, the cycle is repeated.

MODIFICATIONS Although a commercially available golf ball projectile has been shown as preferred herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto as other specially manufactured projectile forms and shapes are capableof use herein, for example spheres or spheroids which have the appearance of a golf ball yet not of same size or weight or material. The intensity of impact can be varied, for example, by proper selection of powder charges or by changes in density of the projectile, i.e., by using plastics or synthetics such as polyethylene or filled phenolics or other materials. Also, projectiles of spherical or spheroid shape may be used, including prolate and elongated spheroids and cylindrical shapes terminating in hemispheres.

With regard to the means for retaining the projectiles within the cavity and preventing the projectiles from rolling down the barrel, one embodiment includes a cavity design wherein the projectile entering'the cavity from the magazine 16 will encounter the leading edge of projection 42 and therefore extend slightly beyond the boundaries of the cylindrical slide 32. In addition to utilizing surface 48 as a means to drive the projectile rearwardly into the cavity, another embodiment includes rotating the slide 32 relative to a cam surface prior to its upward movement into the armed or firing position. This is best described in FIGS. 8 and 9. Substantially vertical slot 50 interconnects a lower horizontal slot 51. Within the interior bore 34 is a cam surface 49. In use, projectile 18 enters the cavity in the load position from the magazine. Detent 36 is rotated forv type cartridge, the invention may include a valve con trolled, as for example, by the trigger for the entrance of gas into the gas entrance port 40 behind the projectile.

Other modifications include a safety means innerconnecting the slide detent 26 and the trigger to prevent accidental firing before the projectile has been positioned within the armed position.

What is claimed is:

l. A deterrent weapon comprising in combination:

a shoulder supported shotgun weapon terminating slightly forward of its load chamber and having means to place a blank cartridge in said load chamber;

golf ball projectile loading assembly attached to and forward of said blank cartridge and comprising: i

a slide housing having a slide bore open at both ends to theatmosphere;

a launching tube attached to said housing in communication with said slide bore and in substantial axial alignment with said load chamber;

a projectile entrance in communication with said slide bore and below said launching tube;

a projectile transfer slide vertically movable in said bore, said slide having a projectile receiving cavity communicable with said entrance in a load position and axial with said launching tube and load chamber in an armed position;

a guide slot in said housing the axis of which is parallel to said slide movement;

a graspable detent attached to said slide and including a stud portion extending outward of said housing through said slot, a sleeve coaxial with said stud portion and spring biased toward said housing;

a recess terminating the upper end'of said slot; and

means at the end of said sleeve to mate with said recess to lock said slide in said armed position.

2. A weapon according to claim 1 including a magazine tube in substantial alignment with said projectile entrance to accept and retain a plurality of projectiles,

and

means in said magazine to provide non-cumulative forcespring bias against projectiles toward said entrance. 

1. A deterrent weapon comprising in combination: a shoulder supported shotgun weapon terminating slightly forward of its load chamber and having means to place a blank cartridge in said load chamber; a golf ball projectile loading assembly attached to and forward of said blank cartridge and comprising: a slide housing having a slide bore open at both ends to the atmosphere; a launching tube attached to said housing in communication with said slide bore and in substantial axial alignment with said load chamber; a projectile entrance in communication with said slide bore and below said launching tube; a projectile transfer slide vertically movable in said bore, said slide having a projectile receiving cavity communicable with said entrance in a load position and axial with said launching tube and load chamber in an armed position; a guide slot in said housing the axis of which is parallel to said slide movement; a graspable detent attached to said slide and including a stud portion extending outward of said housing through said slot, a sleeve coaxial with said stud portion and spring biased toward said housing; a recess terminating the upper end of said slot; and means at the end of said sleeve to mate with said recess to lock said slide in said armed position.
 2. A weapon according to claim 1 including a magazine tube in substantial alignment with said projectile entrance to accept and retain a plurality of projectiles, and means in said magazine to provide non-cumulative force spring bias against projectiles toward said entrance. 